Monthly Archives: June 2006

BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers: “One certificate, one payment is fair”

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BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers: 
"One certificate, one payment is fair"

BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants

For immediate release - Tuesday June 20, 2006

Vancouver, BC - The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and
Descendants believes the position of "one certificate, one payment" is
principled, fair and inclusive.  We are concerned with the federal
government's unilateral imposition of the upcoming Chinese Head
Tax/Exclusion redress settlement.

"Our request for a meeting to work with the government to discuss the
redress package prior to the June 22 announcement has been turned
down." states Karin Lee, BC Coalition spokesperson and grand-daughter
of head tax payers.  "We are disappointed that the government has not
been open and transparent with redress groups across the country as
well as with head tax families, and are unnecessarily rushing through
the process. "

"When redress started over 20 years ago many head tax payers and
spouses were still alive," states Harvey Lee, a BC Coalition
spokesperson, senior and son of a head tax payer.  "The government
should not be rewarded for their intransigence and failure to act for
the last two decades."

The BC Coalition would like to inform head tax families, the Chinese
community and all Canadians, that on June 22nd, 2006, the federal
government will simulcast Prime Minister Harper's apology for the Head
Tax and Exclusion Act legislation from the House of Commons.  This
public event will take place at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from noon
to 3pm.

The BC Coalition is arranging transportation for the elderly and those
who need assistance.  Transportation will be provided from 10 am - 11
am, from SUCCESS - 28 West Pender Street, and will return from Hotel
Vancouver to SUCCESS from 3 - 4pm.

Members of the BC Coalition will attend and witness this historical
and, hopefully celebratory occasion in the BC ballroom of the Fairmont
Hotel Vancouver at Burrard and Georgia.

The BC Coalition is a volunteer multi-partisan organization, and works
toward a just redress for the families affected by the head tax and
the Exclusion Act.  We are individuals and families who are head tax
payers, spouses and descendants of our early Chinese Canadian
pioneers.  We at the Coalition also comprise more recent Chinese
immigrants from Hong Kong, China and elsewhere who believe that it is
important for all of us to work together for justice for the victims
of government discrimination.   After all, we are all Canadian and all
Chinese.

-30-


For more information, please contact:

BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants

Grace Schenkeveld English-language spokesperson (604) 506-1703

Harvey Lee English-language spokesperson (778) 883-2606

Karin Lee, English-language spokesperson (778) 773-1088

Gabriel Yiu, Chinese-language spokesperson (604) 889-0696

Vancouver Sun: Redress train rolls by ghosts of the past

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Here's an article on the Redress Train, with interviews by Sun reporter Ian Mulgrew….

Monday Â» June 19 Â» 2006
 

Redress train rolls by ghosts of the past
 
Ian Mulgrew
Vancouver Sun
Monday, June 19, 2006
Aboard the Head Tax Redress Train
As
the transcontinental train clattered eastward through the Rockies,
Toronto's Susan Eng entertained tourists with stories of the 22-year
struggle by Chinese Canadians for redress over the long-gone
discriminatory head tax.

More time, Eng told them, would have
allowed the groups involved to better organize the response to Prime
Minister Stephen Harper's surprise announcement last week that he would
apologize for the unique penalty imposed on the Chinese more than a
century ago.
“It would have been nice along the way on this
trip to commemorate the thousands of Chinese workers who gave their
lives to build the railway,” Eng said.

But the train rumbled
through Kamloops at midnight and most of the sites appropriate for a
ritualistic nod to the ghosts of the past were also shrouded in
darkness as the train sped by.

Later, the
observation car filled with “ahs” at the appearance of Thunder Falls on
the opposite side of mirror-like Moose Lake near the B.C.-Alberta
border.
“Wow,” Eng echoed, watching the spectacular spires
and rugged ranges through which her ancestors helped carve and blast a
steel path.

She said she hopes this thrown-together trip will
nevertheless focus Canadians' attention and help them understand why
the prime minister's decision means so much to the minority community.

James
Marr, 94, and his family had only two days notice before they boarded
the Canadian in Edmonton late Saturday for the trip to Ottawa.

“He's
quite overwhelmed,” daughter Lily Welsh said of her dad, who in 1923
was one of the last Chinese immigrants let into Canada until after the
Second World War. “This is just such a once-in-a-lifetime event. He
never thought he would see the day.”
Marr sat in
his wheelchair smiling broadly, his eyes gleaming as the verdant prairie rolled by.

Gim Wong and his wife Jan were similarly awed by the grandeur of the landscape and the attention of the media.

“I'm overwhelmed, just overwhelmed,” repeated the 83-year-old Wong, whose late father paid the tax.

The
Toronto-born co-chairwoman of the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax
Payers and Families, Eng is riding the rails with her mother Chuey Eng
in memory of her late father Tong, who paid the fee to enter the
country in 1919.

“This railway is part of the mythology of Canada,” Eng said as the Via train gently rocked its way across the continent.

“Every child learns that in our schools — now they will also learn about the Chinese indentured workers who did the hard jobs.”

Although
the Chinese were courted and welcomed to help construct the CPR, the
federal government shunned them after it was completed in 1885.

Those who were landed faced rampant, manifest discrimination and sporadic violence by the turn of the 20th century.

They
might have played a key role in building the Canadian Pacific line that
ushered B.C. into Confederation, but the Chinese were not even invited
to the celebration marking its finish.

Of the 82,000 or so
estimated to have paid the head tax — imposed from 1885 until 1923 to
staunch immigration — there remain only a score of aged survivors such
as Marr and perhaps 200 of their spouses.

There are, though,
an estimated 4,000 descendants, several hundred families whose
ancestors paid the fee that was as high as $500.

Eng and
eight others set out Friday from Vancouver, and were joined by another
five, including Marr, in Edmonton. Two found the travel too onerous and
disembarked, hoping to fly to Ottawa.

None of the abiding ironies of the journey are lost on the participants.
They
even carry a Last Spike, one of the souvenir steel pegs distributed at
the initial ceremony marking the historic moment when the eastern and
western crews laying down the Canadian Pacific line met.

The
spike was a gift to the redress campaign from the late author, Pierre
Berton, whose books documented the building of the railway and its
importance to the building of the nation.

Eng plans to bring it to the ceremony Thursday when Harper will deliver on behalf of Canadians the long-overdue “sorry.”

Though
the tax was abolished in 1923, from then until 1947, Canada simply
refused entry to Chinese immigrants and denied their families the right
to reunite.

The hardships that caused for many remain a
caustic memory discussed among those on the trip — which proved a
chance for those involved to strike up new friendships and share
emotional bouts of heart-felt reminiscence about family and friends
long gone.

“My father tried to bring us here after Japan
invaded China in 1937, but the act wouldn't allow it,” recalled Howe
Chan, of Richmond, his eyes welling as he fingered a faded photograph.

“My
brother died of tuberculosis before the Japanese surrender and my
sister died of meningitis a month before I came here. I didn't see my
father from the age of one to 14 — to me he was a total stranger when
I arrived here.”

Like others on the train, he was
flabbergasted by Harper's decision — a staggering symbolic gesture no
one in the community expected. He scrambled to ensure he was aboard the
so-called redress train.

imulgrew@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Sun 2006

“REDRESS EXPRESS” ROLLS INTO TORONTO

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MEDIMEDIA ADVISORY – FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 “REDRESS
EXPRESS” ROLLS INTO TORONTO

(En route to Head Tax and
Exclusion Act Apology in Ottawa)

         TORONTO, June 19, 2006 – The
“Redress Express”, carrying Chinese Canadian Head Tax payers,
spouses and families to Ottawa, will make a scheduled stop at Toronto Union
Station tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET.

          More than 100
additional passengers from Head Tax families and redress-seeking groups are
expected to join the train Wednesday for the final leg of the journey to the
House of Commons to hear Prime Minister Stephen Harper deliver a Parliamentary
apology for 62 years of legislated racism against Chinese Canadians.

          “I think this trip is incredibly
important, especially the apology,” said Head Tax payer Mrs. Mary Mah,
85, of Calgary, who boarded a special car on VIA Rail’s The Canadian train in Vancouver last
Friday to begin the cross-country journey.

         
Mrs. Mah, whose father paid $500 each for his wife and daughter to enter Canada
in May, 1923, just weeks before the Exclusion Act was imposed, carried a
ceremonial “Last Spike” donated by the late Canadian historian and
author Pierre Berton.

         
The iron spike, one of several commemorative items given to dignitaries
witnessing the driving of the actual Last Spike at Craigellachie, B.C., and
completion of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, was handed
off by Mrs. Mah to Mr. James Marr, 94, when he boarded the train in Edmonton on Saturday.
(Mrs. Mah disembarked in Edmonton but plans to
attend the apology in Ottawa.)

         
Mr. Marr will be joined Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET at Toronto Union Station by
more than 100 other Head Tax payers, spouses and families when the
“Redress Express” (VIA Rail Train 42, departing at 9:20 a.m. ET)
starts the last leg of the journey to Ottawa.

         
Parliament convenes on Thursday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m. EST to hear the apology.

         
“This historic cross-country train ride, made possible with the kind
support of VIA Rail, is significant for all Canadians,” said Susan Eng,
co-chair of the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers, Spouses and
Descendants.

         
“It focuses national attention on a dark stain on our nation’s
history and the current Government’s efforts to restore justice.”

–30–

TIMETABLE FOR “REDRESS
EXPRESS”

Arrive in Toronto (VIA Rail Train 2 “The Canadian”) on Monday,
June 18, 2006, at 8:00 p.m. ET

Depart from Toronto (VIA Rail Train 42) on Wednesday,
June 21, at 9:20 a.m. ET. Delegation to meet in VIA Rail Station at 8:30 a.m
ET.

Arrive in Ottawa Wednesday, June 21, at 2:05 ET.

Prime Minister’s Apology set for
3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 22, in the House of Commons.

MEDIA

For more information, please contact:

Avvy Go, legal counsel, Ontario Coalition
of Chinese Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants 416-971-9676

Keith Wong, Ontario
Coalition, 416-835-7623

Catherine Kaloutsky, VIA Rail, corporate
communications (Toronto
area),

416-956-7683


Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team meets sucess and challenges at Alcan Dragon Boat Festival

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Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team meets sucess and challenges at Alcan Dragon Boat Festival




Combined Gung Haggis Fat Choy Kogawa House and Pyros dragon boat teams at ADBF 2006 – photo courtesy of Deb Martin

Thank you very much to the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Kogawa House dragon boat team for one of my
most fun and challenging dragon boat weekends.  I love that our paddlers are
enjoying the experience and are not only exploring new opportunities –
but also want to do better!


It was a weekend full of promise and fun with lots of highlights.
– we were interviewed by CBC French Television & Radio
– proud that Constance stood up and did a wonderful media interview in French
– we had extra races with Philipino team – winning a bronze medal
– Ann-Marie becoming the “Keeper of the Dragon Puppet”
– dinner at the Foo's Ho Ho restaurant on Saturday night – good bonding
and chinese history lessons + watching Edmonton beating Carolina on TV!
– we got new kilts and sashes
– Jim wearing Kilt and sash with pride, and introducing his parents who
took pictures (another parent introduction – following Deb's mom, and
Jonas' parents)
– we were bagpipe serenaded with “Scotland the Brave” by corporal Norris
– Steven Wong paddled on a 50+ team and won!
– Friday night at Brasilia Exotica – the team is serenaded by Todd and Marian on accordion.
– Having friend/steers/co-coach Bob Brinson join us for the weekend.
– Kristine, Dave, Gurmeet, Teresa, Jennifer and Marian hanging out with us, even though they were rostered on other teams.
– introducing Gung Haggis to the many coaches and paddlers that I have
previously coached or worked with – who are on many of the top teams
now.

There were also challenges that arose, and we had to rise to meet them.
And in the end… Maybe our views of dragon boat paddling and teams
have changed, and maybe we are ready for that next level.  It was great
to watch the final Championship races and the “Gut and Glory” race with
so many of our team members.  And have Deb yelling for “Wasabi!” –
cheering on our friends.

As
a team, I know we have grown. Many of us openly and willingly make
contributions and sacrifices for our team.  And that is good.


Todd Wong displays his new Fraser “sport” tartan, beside dragon boat buddy James Yu, who wears his “sarong.” – photo Deb Martin


Hosting the Philipino team was both an added bonus and distraction. 
Helping to manage and roster the team for each race, took energy away
from our team, but it also gave our paddlers opportunities to: paddle
more races; step up individual and team leadership; and have an added
sense of purpose!   To see our paddlers spontaneously trading or
giving their Gung Haggis shirts with the PYROS paddlers was wonderful. 
It truly demonstrated that I have always described our team as
“good-hearted people with good spirits”.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy Kogawa House dragon boat team finished 5th in our
morning race on Saturday and 7th in our afternoon race.  There had
been a near collision, in lanes 2 and 3, which probably resulted in us
finishing 5th in the race, instead of our seed 8 position.  It
probably bumped us up to Division E, instead of F.

For our Sunday morning race, we loaned about 10 paddlers, + drummer to
the Phippine team races at 8:55.   They finished in 1st
place, setting them up to race in the Recreation F Division
championships.

Our strongest paddlers were already warmed up when we raced for the
Division F semi about 30 minutes later. It was a good race, and while 4
boats finished ahead of us, we had to wait to find out who if our 5th
place finish was faster than the other 5th place finisher, which turned
out to be the O2P team.

For the afternoon, I would have loved to have put many of our paddlers on the Philipino
team to race for a medal in F division final – but it was impossible –
teams were on different boats, and the races were back to back.  If we
had paddled well enough in our morning race to make the E Final… then
we could have done it (returning in a Gemini boat, and hopping to the
next Gemini boat).  This is fun racing… getting in as many races as
you can… and we will be able to do it at smaller festivals throughout
the summer – like we did at Barnet earlier this year.

For the Philipine team, I selected our paddlers who were dedicated to
the Philipine team + additional paddlers from Chilliwack, O2P,
Conquering Waves and Roli.  They meshed toghter 5 different team
styles and made it to 3rd place finish despite paddle classhes, paddle
pullouts and a messy timeing.  But they all received medals for
their efforts.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team had a tougher go for the Rec E
finals…  Despite being a favored seed (lane 5), we fell behind
at the midpoint, and finished 8th.

I thank the team for trusting me to make the best decisions
possible for our rostering for Gung Haggis and PYROS races, plus our
Gung Haggis team activities and events.    The PYROS paddlers have been
invited to our next practices and King, has offered a coaching session
(he lives in Vancouver now and hopefully he may join our team!)

Working with other teams.
At Barnet Race, we assisted with a Chilliwack team, at the Women's
regatta we paddled with a Tacoma team, at ADBF we assisted with the
PYROS team.  Last night after the races… I was asked if I would bring
the team down to Portland for the  6-16 dragon boat race at Sellwood
Park.  This invitation is from Jim Ketcham who paddles with Wasabi and
the US National team, and paddled with us in Portland in 2003.  Jim
said that if we don't have a full team – he will top us off with
ringers.  Jim McArthur of Lotus club was enthusiastic when I asked him
if we can bring the team and the Philipino paddlers to try some
outrigger canoe paddling at Barnet Marine Park with Lotus Club.

This is an example that top organizers, paddlers and teams love what we
do as a team in terms of community building, and it gives us the
opportunity to work with some great teams and paddlers.


Coach and Steers Todd Wong, with
drummer Deb Martin – the management team of Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon
boat team – photo courtesy of Deb Martin's camera

Coming up –
July 1st – Barrel racing in Seattle – with Tacoma DBA
July 15th – Seattle / Kent Dragon boat Race (Tacoma wants to “host” us
July 22/23 – Vernon DBF – canoes and kayaks at Deb's parents house

Aug 12 – Women's regatta at Cultus Lake
Sept 2/3  – Vancouver International Taiwanese Race (which Bob Brinson and I helped to found)
Sept 9  Penticton or Sept 10 ? Portland???

Please bring $$$  for summer paddling.
$100 per person includes:  boat rental / coaching + 1 event.
other events are $30 each.

I want to have 2 teams for Taiwanese race (advanced + beginner).

 

Edmonton Sun: Apology expected Chinese head-tax payers head to Ottawa Edmonton Sun: Apology expected Chinese head-tax payers head to Ottawa

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this Edmonton Sun article was online ahead of the train arrival in 
Edmonton.

June 17, 2006

Apology expected Chinese head-tax payers head to Ottawa
By Sun staff

An historic train ride stopped in Edmonton Saturday to pick up one of 
only
a few surviving Chinese head-tax payers.

James Mar, 94, will ride the VIA Rail train to Ottawa where several
Chinese-Canadian groups are expecting Prime Minister Stephen Harper to
apologize for the head tax during a speech in the House of Commons on
Thursday.

The federal government hasn’t committed to that, nor any compensation.

“We’re really not sure whether the settlement will be acceptable or 
not,”
said Kenda Gee of Edmonton, chair of the Chinese Head Tax Exclusion Act
Redress Committee.

More than 81,000 Chinese paid the head tax ranging from $50 and $500
between 1885 and 1923.

But just 20 of those who directly paid and another 260 of their spouses
are still alive.

About 4,000 descendants of the head tax payers have registered with
advocacy groups.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2006/06/17/pf-1638622.html

Gung Haggis dragon boat team races Sunday at ????

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Saturday at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.

We came 5th in our 1st race #18 at 11:07,  then we came 7th in our last race in race 42.
Everybody is having fun.

We are helping the Philipine Youth Rowing Society PYROS paddle and find paddlers, and give them info.

We were interviewed today by CBC French Television.  Constance is
our paddler who moved from Quebec a few years ago.  I also spoke
some french.  “Je peux parler en francais pleux mieux que je parle
en chinoise.”


The Philipino Youth Rowing Society is paddling…
#55 at 8:55am.
F semi-final

We are racing at 9:28
#58 


E semi final – Race 58

Please be at the race tent by 7:30am.
We will need to prepare mentally and do a warmup, from 7:45 to 8:15,
We will marshall at 8:20, we will be on the water at 8:35.

Please check e-mail later tonight… and early in the morning.

Afternoon races…
worst case scenario
We race in F Consolations at  12:35pm
or F Championships at           12:26
E
Consolations          12:57
E Championships       1:08

Of particular interest….
stay to watch the incredible final races for

Comp C    2:47
Comp B    2:58
Com A      3:09
Breast Cancer Challenge   3:20

Open Division        3:53
Women's Division  4:04   – My favorite womens
teams”  False Creek Women from Vancouver, and Wasabi Team Huge
from Portland WA

Followed by Guts & Glory 2km race

Followed by AWARDS Presentations.
around 5pm to 6pm.

WE WANT TO BE ON THE AWARDS PODIUM!

Last year were were there to receive the Hon. David Lam Multicultural Award!!!

Ming Pao: On the eve of conclusion to Headtax redress, several groups jointly blast: “Harper forces elders to the capitol for a political show”

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Victor Wong, executive director of  CCNC sent out a translation of yesterday's Ming Pao.

He reports that:

Some folks are making their concerns known however, CCNC's position is to welcome the announcement that an apology will happen on June 22 and to urge the govt to meet with us asap and brief us on the details (so we can respond to facts).

CCNC is  encouraging the HT payers and families to attend if invited; there are satellite events in Toronto and Vancouver and we are asking TV to cover the ceremony live so that it can reach our communities.

CCNC has an expectation of a meeting before June 22nd.

We have also reiterated to Govt that the coalitions need to be invited and 5 invites are not enough even for CCNC. Groups need to do their own lobby.

Strong and negative reactions from Head TAx payer families and
claim groups

Publication: MingPao Daily

Page and Date: A2 of June 15, 2006 Thursday

On the eve of conclusion to Headtax redress, several groups jointly blast: “Harper forces elders to the capitol for a political show”
Arrogant officials, many victims reject going to Ottawa

MingPao Montreal :

“Conservative Party PM Harper; Heritage Minister Oda as well as Parliamentary Secretary Kenney will, on Thursday June 22nd, in Ottawa Parliament, personally apologise individually to the rare surviving head tax victims and widows.  As the arranging work of this “moving scene” of individual apologizing is just getting started, they are already faced with the criticism from victims who are “directly affected” and many claim groups from all over the country.  They are criticizing that Harper’s real aim as “buying Chinese support via doing political show”.

Based on what our publication has gathered, many elders and their children are categorically refusing to agree to travel to Ottawa to become Harper’s “political decoration backdrop” because of the “evasive and hesitant” stance on the part of key Conservative politicians about the details of the redress formula, and in addition to the “arrogant bureaucratic style” of Federal Heritage officials when they contact the head tax victims and widow’s family members.

A 90 yr old head tax widow from the Montreal area who has been confined to a wheelchair for as long as 10 yrs due to bone ailments received a total of 5 phone calls yesterday all day from a person claiming to be representing Heritage department in arranging seniors to travel to
Ottawa to meet with Harper.  This person’s position changed several times and carried tough intransigent attitude.

That bureaucrat initially said the children of course can replace her to get to Ottawa since this elder has been bed bound for years, he also said yes to reissue travel expenses and other expenses.  However, his tone suddenly changed by the afternoon: first saying he cannot make the decision himself and had to run it by his superior; then later insisted once more: “even if the elder has difficulty getting about, she still must personally take up the invitation to the appointment, family members cannot represent her.”  The family members argued but to no avail, and ended up decided not to go to Ottawa, furthermore, they asked why isn’t Harper, bringing along Oda and Kenney etc all getting to Montreal to “offer an apology and admit wrongdoing” to the numerous taxpayers and widows still alive?”

Based on MingPao’s understanding:  many Claim groups from the east and western Canada all feel great discontent toward Harper’s conduct of “belabouring and dragging in so many people” to drag the elders from all over the country to Ottawa to meet him.  These groups all publicly make
their objection; and question why descendants cannot represent the parents or grandparents to accept the Harper apology?

The Newfoundland headtax redress leader Yan, Nova Scotia province head tax redress chair Lui(phonetic), Der of the Montreal Redress group, Kenda  Gee from Alberta’s group, ee(phonetic) from the BC coalition yesterday took turns to indicate that they are “deeply concerned” about the physical conditions of these 80 and 90 year olds.

They publicly question Harper, Oda and Kenney: whether �they have ever considered if this group of elders can withstand the exhaustion and fatigue of a long journey, to take a train trip for several days and nights or long distance car trip of several hours to get to Ottawa to accept their apology ?”

Another reason which causes discontent among some of the victims’ descendants is the lack of human touch and compassion of Heritage department bureaucrats, and their “bureaucratic style” carrying out the work according to superior’s instructions.

A claim group person in charge also added: “There are also some pretty polite officials among the Heritage department, the main problem is their superiors are acting with the aim of “delivering up the numbers of persons for Harper, therefore couldn’t help but resort to displaying tough attitudes towards elders and their family who have suffered the humiliation already for several dozen decades.

“We are afraid that the number of elders who will make the trip to Ottawa to shake Harper’s hand will not be overly numerous if the senior ranks of the Conservative Party do not change this style in a timely manner.”

Gung Haggis team getting ready for ADBF weekend!!!

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Gung Haggis team getting ready for ADBF weekend!!!

We are TENT #41 – in racer's village
We are hanging out with the “P's” – because we have been assigned next to the Phillipine Youth Rowing Society.  We are helping to host the PYROS team.

PYROS has brought at least 12 paddlers as of today. They will need more paddlers to help them.

Their first race is #10 at 9:39
I will be there on site earlier than 9am.
I will check with them…
If anybody is ready to go – please meet at tent by 8:30pm

Otherwise – please meet by 9am.  Our first race is 11:07.
But… things could go early.  We need to start warm ups by 10 am and be ready to marshal by 10:20am.
Our second race could be in race #40 (if we finish 4th or 7th) or race # 42 if we finish 2nd or 5th, or race # 44 if we finish 3rd or 6th)

Cool Stuff

ADBF VIP party
Steven Wong & I were at the ADBF VIP party until 8pm
We said hello to his baby brother Peter, who is former chair of the ADBF, and also to his uncle Milton, who is one of the founders of the ADBF.
Also there… Larry Ho, ADBF race organizer and dragon boat coach, who has offered a guest coaching session for Gung Haggis. 
City Councilor Heather Deal… who bikes everywhere… and one day I will get into a dragon boat.
Sonny Wong, former manager of ADBF, who also was best man at my wedding (in a previous lifetime).
Don Montgomery, executive director of Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, also known as explorASIAN – Don has done all of the festival programming for the CBC World Beat Stage.
Jessica Jade Chan – editor for Ricepaper magazine
Brian Sullivan – vice-president for explorASIAN / VP for UBC Student Services (Brian loves the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinners, and always invites a table full of students)
Joy Lin-Salzberg – President of explorASIAN
Brian Veitch and Denaly Barrera of Storyeum – we chatted about the possibility of hosting an event for Chinese head tax payers, spouses and descendents at Storyeum


More Cool Stuff…
We met some of the team members at Brasila Exotica restaurant tonight for some dinner
organized by Julie and Wendy….
I brought my accordion to the restaurant and played a few songs.
(O Solo Mio, Beer Barrel Polka, Hungarian Dance #5)
Then Marian played accordion too… (She played Loch Lomand and I sang)
Did you know that Marian is a music teacher?
Did you know that Marian teaches accordion?
How did she find herself with the Gung Haggis team where the coach also plays the accordion!!!

Beware… the nickname committee starte up tonight at the restaurant
I think my nickname is “Todderful”